This teacher goes the extra mile for tribal students

This teacher goes the extra mile for tribal students

Pune: Tribal children belonging to the Thakar tribe in Khed taluka of Pune district have to finish their household chores and then climb up a mountain to reach their school daily. However, their motivation to go to school regularly is Sandip Jadhav, a teacher from the Thakarwadi Vetala School.

Jadhav’s work was recently publicised through an exhibition in the form of photographs by the Shetra Cultural Foundation at the Shetra 5 gallary in the city. The Thakarwadi Vetala School is the only tribal school, which has classes from Std I to VII. Jadhav has been working for tribal students for over a decade and half now. He recalled when he had first joined the school 15 years ago, there were hardly 24 students. The classes were only till Std IV. In over a decade, the number of enrolments increased by 85.

Fifty two per cent students are girls. “Most of their parents work as farm labour in Maval, Ambegaon and other places. Therefore, they are often away from home for two-three months. Meanwhile, these students carry out the household work and attend school regularly,” said Jadhav. Jadhav’s efforts to impart innovative and interactive teaching has kept the enrolment number on the rise.  

“We provide e-learning courses and 90 per cent of the students are computer educated. Since they are unable to study at home, we have started a night school for these children. Hence, they go home after the day school is over. After cooking and other work at home, they come back for 7 pm to 9 pm from the school,” he said.

His teaching is not limited to classrooms and academics only. Jadhav invites local unemployed people, who are skilled in some occupation, to school to teach those skills to the students. “As the tribe has a history of occupation in forest areas, these children have knowledge about various medicinal and other wild plants. I often take them to nearby forest areas to learn from them about different plants and their uses. This enhances their and other students’ knowledge as well. So far, I haven’t documented any of their information, but now I think I will start documenting it and share it publicly,” added Jadhav.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Revati Borawake, founder of the Shetra Cultural Foundation said unlike schools in the city, which focus on academics only, Jadhav’s teaching method is very different and unique. He imparts life education to these tribal students, which inspired us to document his work. 

“These students value life and they know their parents are away toiling for them. Many walk down the mountains to collect water, as there is scarcity of water in that area. Despite these hurdles, they are enthusiastic to learn and continue education because of the interactive learning they get from the school,” added Borawake. 
The organisation focuses on several social and cultural issues in society and documents inspirational stories.
 

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